OLYMPIA — March 22, 2012 — Three Washington state public schools and one private school were nominated for the U.S. Department of Education’s new Green Ribbon Schools Award, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction announced.

The nominations, which were sent to the Department of Education today, include Camelot Elementary School (Federal Way School District), Tahoma
Junior High School (Tahoma), Secondary Academy for Success (Northshore) and The Overlake School (a private school in Redmond).

The award recognizes public and private schools that excel in the areas of environmental impact and energy efficiency, healthy school environments, and environmental and sustainability education.

“All schools went through a rigorous application and review process for this award,” said Randy Dorn, superintendent of public instruction. “I’m very proud of the teachers, staff, students, and parents in all of the buildings. Their enthusiasm, hard work and creativity demonstrate that we can provide an excellent environment for a well-rounded education with an emphasis on addressing the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.”

On April 23, the Department of Education will announce the awardees. A total of 33 states, the District of Columbia, and the Bureau of Indian Education were each allowed to nominate up to three public schools and one private school. The awardees will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on June 4, 2012.

In addition to the Green Ribbon Schools, Washington state has designated 11 schools as Green Leader Schools for their achievement in one of three pillars: environmental impact, health, and education. The Green Leader Schools are:

In reference to the Green Ribbon Schools, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said: “Green schools and environmental literacy complement the goals of providing a well-rounded education for the 21st century, of modernizing schools at reduced costs, and of accelerating learning.”

About OSPI
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is the primary agency charged with overseeing K–12 education in Washington state. Led by State School Superintendent Randy Dorn, OSPI works with the state’s 295 school districts and nine educational service districts to administer basic education programs and implement education reform on behalf of more than one million public school students.

OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director at (360) 725-6162 or P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200.